The Yakima Herald recaps the debate for the open house seat in the 14th Legislative District. It was all the usual boilerplate stuff until Scott Hess decided to go after the “more experienced” Republican candidates. Here’s the excerpt:
Asked how he differs from the other candidates, self-described conservative Republican Hess, 35, responded that he’s not a moderate Republican like Al Schweppe, not a Democrat like Vickie Ybarra, and he’s half the age of Republicans Norm Johnson, Aubrey Reeves and Bob McLaughlin.
Johnson, a 69-year-old Yakima Councilman, shot back, pointing out that popular former state Sen. Alex Deccio, R-Yakima, had a long and accomplished legislative career after becoming a senior citizen.
“So let me tell you something,” he said, turning to face Hess. “We old people may still have something left in us.”
McLaughlin, a 67-year-old retired school administrator, addressed the matter later, in his closing remarks.
“I challenge the young man,” he said of Hess. “I can work as hard as he can, and I’ve proved it — over and over and over.”
OOPS! In a classic case of trying to punch the other guy and accidentally clocking himself in the face, Scott insulted most of the voters he needed to win the election in August.
Ya see, Scott….most of the voters in the primary are seniors. So, when you take shots at seniors…you are taking a shot at the older voters in the district. The ones that read the paper and then think your combination of arrogance and inexperience may not be a good fit for the legislature.
But, here’s hoping you win. It sure would help the most qualified candidate, Vickie Ybarra, win in the general!